Minister says Sri Lanka will not allow other countries to intervene in internal affairs

The EU is closely monitoring “Sri Lanka's compliance with all relevant international conventions, including the UN human rights conventions”, an EU official told BBC Sandeshaya.

The Sri Lankan government has strongly objected to the European Union launching an investigation before extending trade concessions for the garment industry.

Sri Lanka has already applied for the GSP + (Generalised System of Preferences plus-scheme) concession to be extended for another three years from 01 January 2009.

The European Commission (EC) had informed Sri Lanka that an investigation needs to be launched to determine whether the country is qualified for the scheme to be extended.

Human rights concerns

"The Commission shall initiate an investigation in order to establish whether the national legislation of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka incorporating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Convention on the Rights of the Child is effectively implemented," a resolution adopted by the EC on 14 October said.

If the country concerned does not cooperate the Commission still has to continue the investigation and make the findings on the basis of the facts available. During the investigation the Commission invites all interested parties to make their views known in writing and provides the country under investigation with every opportunity to cooperate in the investigation European Commission official

Minister of Export development and International Trade, Prof. GL Peiris, admitted that the EU investigation was planning to cover child recruitment and human rights issues.

However, Sri Lanka objects to any such investigation by the EU, he told journalists on Monday.

"We are not willing to betray the political freedom and sovereignty for economic benefit or monetary gain," he said.

The minister added that country is not depending on the concession. "It is not a significant amount of money" the minister said.

He also said that the Cabinet of Ministers have decided not to allow a EU delegation to intervene in internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

EC response

"The value of this (GSP+) is roughly US$150million. This government is not at all prepared to betray our self respect and dignity for US$150 million," the minister said.

However, If Sri Lanka does not cooperate, the EC said, it will still has to continue the investigation.

The value of this (GSP+) is roughly US$150million. This government is not at all prepared to betray our self respect and dignity for US$150 million Minister GL Peiris

“During the investigation the Commission invites all interested parties to make their views known in writing and provides the country under investigation with every opportunity to cooperate in the investigation,” a Commission official told BBC Sandeshaya.

Sri Lanka was offered GSP+ for the last three years. As the country now objects the EU investigation, it is not clear whether the concession will be extended for another term.

When Sandeshaya pointed out that Sri Lanka has invited Indian External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, to visit Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission, Prof. Peiris said it is only a bilateral issue between two countries.